How to Set Up a Static IP Address

Abstract

You must configure your PC to communicate with the Vibration Research I/O unit for the hardware to connect to VibrationVIEW. You can do so by setting up a static IP address on the network card connected to the I/O unit.

Question

How do I get my PC to communicate with the hardware?

Answer

Directions for setting up a static IP address:

1. Navigate to your PC’s Control Panel.
2. Select Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
3. On the left side of the dialog box, select Change adapter settings.
4. Right-click the network card dedicated to the I/O unit and select Properties.

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5. Disable/uncheck all options except “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).”

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6. In the Properties dialog box, select the Properties button.
7. Select the “Use the following IP address” radio button. Assign the IP address to 192.168.3.10 and the subnet mask to 255.255.255.0.
   • If multiple network cards are installed in the computer the IP address can be adjusted. Other recommended values are 192.168.2.10 and 192.168.4.10, although any Class C or Class D subnet will work.

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8. Select OK.
9. On the Properties dialog box, click the Sharing tab. The “Internet Connection Sharing” option for the connection should be disabled/unchecked. Select OK.

The network card is now configured to communicate with the I/O unit.

Connecting to VibrationVIEW

VibrationVIEW must be configured to use the network connection after it is set up.

Directions for configuring VibrationVIEW to the network connection:

1. Start the VibrationVIEW software program.
2. Select Configuration > Hardware.
3. Select the network card you configured on the PC. Typically, it is 192.168.3.10.

Click to expand.

4. Select Probe and then select Apply.
5. The software will add the I/O unit serial number to the drop-down menu for Channels 1 to 4 after the hardware connects to the computer. Select the I/O unit serial number to configure Channels 1 to 4 and, optionally, Channels 5 to 8, Channels 9 to 12, and 13 through 128 (in blocks of 4 channels for the VR9500).

The software assigns the I/O units addresses from the range listed under “Assign Control Box Network Addresses.” This parameter does not need to be changed.